$1m reward to find Halvagis killer

The family of a woman brutally murdered more than seven years ago hope a $1 million reward will flush out her killer.

The body of 25-year-old Mersina Halvagis was found in the Greek Orthodox section of Fawkner Cemetery, in Melbourne's north, on Sunday November 2, 1997.

Mersina's brother, Nick Halvagis, one of five family members at a media conference, said the reward was "perhaps that one little step we can take that will bring the information in that we require".

Advertisement

"We'd like to say we're glad for it but it's a hard thing to associate glad with why the reward's being offered, but we are happy because from a family perspective my sister's memory is at the forefront, and I think the only way we'll only start really remembering her life is to get a conviction," he said.

"There's still a real potential that the person who committed this evil crime is out in society. There's the real potential that someone has the ability to crawl behind someone and multiply stab them."

New state Police Minister Tim Holding today announced the reward for information relating to the murder of Halvagis, who was stabbed repeatedly while tending to her grandmother's grave.

Mr Holding urged anyone with information relating to the crime or its perpetrator to finally come forward.

"If they do have information which can help police with their inquiries, this is the opportunity to come forward and to provide that information so that this crime can finally be solved, and the Halvagis family can finally achieve some closure for the horrible grief that they have suffered," he said.

It is the fourth million-dollar reward to be offered by Victoria Police for information that leads to an arrest or subsequent conviction of an unsolved crime.

Mersina's sister, Demetria Halvagis, said regular public appearances relating to the crime had taken their toll on the family.

"I don't want to think that for the rest of our lives we'll be meeting you this way," she said to reporters at the media conference.

"We want to try and take the next step because there's been no steps for seven years and nothing's made a difference. It just gets harder."

During the media conference Mersina's family held the hands of her mother, Christina, who did not speak and looked shaken throughout.

Convicted murderer Peter Dupas has been a suspect, due to the circumstances of the murder, but police were unwilling to discuss his possible involvement.

Detective Inspector Bernie Rankin, the head of the homicide squad, said it was "unhelpful" to speculate on suspects for the crime, preferring to focus on securing further information.

"The reward is perhaps that one little step we can take that will bring the information in that we require," he said.

Anybody with information about the crime is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.